Molly Seidel

Molly Seidel (born July 12, 1994) is an American long distance runner. Seidel represented the United States at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in 2012, 2013, and 2018. In her first-ever marathon, Seidel placed second at the 2020 U.S. Marathon Olympic Trials. Later, she went on to win the bronze medal in her third career marathon at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. At the University of Notre Dame, Seidel was a 4-time NCAA champion, 6-time NCAA All-American, 6-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion and 2016 female ACC Athlete of the Year.

Early life and education Seidel grew up in Hartland, Wisconsin, and attended University Lake School. Molly won Gatorade National Female Cross Country Runner of the Year. She also was named Gatorade Wisconsin Female Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2011. Seidel won the 2011 national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, breaking the tape in 17:22. Seidel won Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association cross country, 1600m, and 3200m titles at the state meet all four years totaling 12 titles. Seidel earned New Balance Indoor Nationals mile and two-mile All-American honors in 2011. Seidel was invited to the Bupa Great Edinburgh International Challenge in Scotland where she placed third (15:16) in the 4K and was the first USA high school finisher.

NCAA Seidel attended the University of Notre Dame and was the 2015 NCAA Division 1 national cross-country champion and the 2016 NCAA Division I national indoor track and field 3000 meters and 5000 meters champion. Seidel won the 10,000 meters title at 2015 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Seidel was a six time Atlantic Coast Conference champion. She won the Honda Sports Award as the nation's top female cross country runner in 2016. Year Conference Cross Country NCAA Cross Country ACC indoor NCAA indoor ACC Outdoor NCAA Outdoor2015–16 19:36.2 1st 19:28.5 1st 3000 m 9:02.24 1st 3000 m 8:57.86 1st 5000 m 15:19.64 1st 5000 m 15:15.21 1st 2014–15 20:11.2 5th 20:23.4 19th 10,000 m 33:39.70 2nd 10,000 m 33:18.37 1st 3000 m 9:10.63 1st DMR 11:15.96 8th 5000 m 15:55.84 1st 5000 m 15:48.31 6th 5000 m 16:07.87 1st 2013–14 21:23.1 26th 21:48.8 171st 5000 m 16:31.27 8th 5000 m 16:40.62 11th 2012–13 21:45.3 22nd 21:39.1 217th

NOTE: Notre Dame was in the Big East in 2012–13 but moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference starting in 2013–14.

Professional Seidel was invited to the 2012 Bupa Great Edinburgh International Cross Country in Scotland where she placed third (15:16) in the 4 km and was the first USA high school finisher.

Seidel placed fourteenth in 20:13 in 2016 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships. She ran the 2017 USATF Road 5k Championships Abbott Dash to the Finishline 5k in 15:35, her professional debut road race representing Saucony.

Seidel qualified to represent Team USA at the 2018 Great Edinburgh International Cross Country in Scotland. Seidel finished third in the 6 km event in a time of 21:04, helping Team USA to an overall bronze.

Seidel continued the 2018 season with a 2nd place at the 2018 USA Cross Country Championships. She qualified for Team USA at 2018 NACAC Cross Country Championships in La Libertad, El Salvador on February 17, 2018.

In Atlanta, Georgia, at the U.S. Woman's Olympic Trials Marathon on February 29, 2020, Seidel broke from the pack along with Aliphine Tuliamuk. Over the rolling hills of the course, the two pushed each other and took a large lead over third place Sally Kipyego. Seidel finished eight seconds behind Tuliamuk for a second place in 2:27:31. She earned a spot on the US Olympic Team and won $65,000.

On October 4, 2020, Seidel ran the London Marathon and finished 6th overall. She was the second American woman, finishing with a personal best time of 2:25:13.

With the Olympic postponement, Seidel broke her personal mark in the half marathon at Hampton, Georgia, running a 1:08:28 on February 28, 2021, in the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon held on the premises of the EchoPark Automotive Speedway, as the event was moved to Henry County because of Fulton County restrictions.

On August 6, 2021, Seidel won the bronze medal in the Tokyo 2020 marathon and was the first American woman to medal in the event since Deena Kastor's bronze in 2004.

Seidel finished fourth at the 2021 New York City Marathon with a time of 2:24:42, which was the fastest ever by an American woman. She won $50,000 in prize money--$25,000 for her fourth-place finish and $25,000 for finishing as the top American.

In 2021, Molly Seidel participated in the Berbee Derby held in Fitchburg, Wisconsin and set the record for the fastest run for an individual dressed as a turkey.

On April 18, 2022, Seidel competed in the 2022 Boston Marathon. She was in the lead pack for the first half of the race but ended up withdrawing after 16 miles due to a hip impingement.

On October 8, 2023, Seidel competed in the 2023 Chicago Marathon. In her first marathon start in eighteen months, Seidel finished in eighth place, the second American, in a personal best time of 2:23:07.

On February 1, 2024, Seidel announced via her Instagram that she would not be racing in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon due to a broken patella and partially torn patella tendon.

On November 2, 2025, Seidel started but did not finish the New York City Marathon.

On February 14, 2026, Seidel made her 100 km trail-racing debut at the Black Canyon 100K in Arizona, finishing fourth in 8:25:13 and earning a Golden Ticket entry to the 2026 Western States Endurance Run.

Competition record Marathons

International results

Personal life

Seidel has spoken publicly about her experiences with bulimia, OCD, and ADHD.